Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) speaks with NHL linesman Michel Cormier (76) in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leaf at the Canadian Tire Centre. / Marc DesRosiers, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

Because the NHL now allows teams to interview players before free agency starts, deals came fast and furious on opening day. The teams that improved most with Tuesday moves:

1. Dallas Stars: While teams were queuing up to bid on free agents, general manager Jim Nill made a bold trade for center Jason Spezza. He also signed Spezza's linemate, Ales Hemsky. The Stars now have a one-two center combination of Tyler Seguin and Spezza. That's an important improvement in the center-rich Western Conference.

The Stars also signed role player Patrick Eaves and backup goalie Anders Lindback.

2. St. Louis Blues: GM Doug Armstrong upgraded his top six forward group by signing the top free agent center Paul Stastny and persuading skillful Jori Lehtera to leave the Kontinental Hockey League. Lehtera played with Vladimir Tarasenko in the KHL. Jaden Schwartz could be the other player on the line.

Stastny, a two-way center who grew up in St. Louis, probably will play with Alex Steen and David Backes. The Blues have wanted to move Backes to the right wing.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning: GM Steve Yzerman made the Lightning a better playoff team by signing steady defenseman Anton Stralman and big, gritty, two-way forward Brian Boyle. Stralman was a key puck possession defenseman for the New York Rangers in their march to the Stanley Cup Final. Former Ranger Boyle can kill penalties, check rudely and score big goals. Evgeni Nabokov will be a veteran backup in net to Ben Bishop.

4. Florida Panthers: With Roberto Luongo in net, the Panthers want to get into playoffs now. GM Dale Tallon aggressively signed top six forwards Jussi Jokinen and Dave Bolland, plus tough role player Shawn Thornton and veteran defenseman Willie Mitchell. This is a much-improved team, although the Panthers had to overpay.

5. Buffalo Sabres: The defense was strengthened by the trade for Josh Gorges and the signing of Andrej Meszaros. GM Tim Murray gave his young team a leader with the signing of Brian Gionta and a proven scorer with the return of Matt Moulson.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins: GM Jim Rutherford persuaded defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to come to Pittsburgh to replace Matt Niskanen. Ehrhoff accepted a one-year deal for $4 million. Although the Penguins still need to find another winger for Evgeni Malkin, this was one of the more important signings of the day.

7. Chicago Blackhawks: Maxed out on his salary cap, GM Stan Bowman still found a way to fill his team's need for a No. 2 center by signing Brad Richards to a one-year, $2 million deal. Richards is not fleet of foot, but he has the offensive instincts to help Chicago's dynamic offense.

8. Washington Capitals: The Capitals, who desperately needed to improve their defense, landed the top free agent defenseman, Matt Niskanen. They also overpaid to sign rugged veteran Brooks Orpik. The Penguins felt as if Orpik had lost a step, but coach Barry Trotz will know how to maximize his ability.

9. Colorado Avalanche: After losing Stastny, the Avalanche made a partial recovery by signing Jarome Iginla, the only 30-goal scorer in the marketplace. They also picked up dependable defenseman Brad Stuart in a trade.

10. Vancouver Canucks: They land the best goalie in Ryan Miller, who will help their hopes of making the playoffs in a challenging conference. He has the mental toughness to handle the heavy pressure that comes with playing for the Canucks.